title: On the experience of stigma by persons with epilepsy in Sweden and Iran--a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to compare the experience of stigma by persons with epilepsy in Sweden and Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  An adapted version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale was completed by 130 persons with epilepsy in Tehran and 93 patients at a neurology clinic in Sweden.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Swedish subjects reported a significantly lower level of experienced stigmatization than the Iranian patients, which we think is an effect of a more individualized medical treatment and a longer experience of health education in the Swedish society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved seizure control, legislative measures and health education are major contributory factors for stigma reduction in a society as regards epilepsy and probably also other medical conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Umea University, Sweden. Electronic address: lars.forsgen@neuro.umu.se.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Forsgren
authors.forename: Helia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghanean
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacobsson
authors.forename: Jorg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Epilepsy; Internalized stigma; Iran; Perceived stigma; Sweden